Nigeria’s House of Representatives has revealed that it would commence investigation of airline operators following complaints on the handling of N27billion COVID-19 intervention fund by the Ministry of Aviation.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Nnolim Nnaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation.
While stating that the concerns raised by aviation stakeholders regarding the matter were too weighty to be ignored, Nnaji disclosed that the committee had resolved to demand from the ministry, the detailed disbursement of the intervention fund.
“The committee was quite aware of the challenges facing the industry due to the COVID-19 impact and the genuine concerns expressed by its Minister, Senator Hadi Sirika, on the need for federal government’s palliative to the industry.
“Some airline operators have, however, complained that despite being asked to submit their details which they did, there has been no response from the ministry to date.
“There were also allegations that the ministry carried out selective disbursement and that the exercise lacked transparency.
“The essence is not to witch-hunt anybody but to clear every doubt over the disbursement. We want to know the detailed disbursement, airline by airline, the parastatals under the ministry and other organisations,” he added.
